On her way to the checkout counter, she spotted a box of Connor and Leah’s favorite chocolate animal cookies. She grabbed a box and decided a visit with Pam and the kids before grocery shopping was a nice idea. A smile crossed her face as she thought about her niece and nephew. They loved her unconditionally and feeling their love steeled her resolve to rid their lives of as much danger as possible.
~ * ~
She knocked on Pam’s front door and heard Leah’s voice call out, “Aunt Katie, Aunt Katie” as she opened the front door.
Leah jumped into Kathryn’s arms as Pam’s voice yelled, “Leah Kathryn Ashbury how many times do I have to tell you not to open the door unless I tell you it’s okay.”
“But it’s okay, Mommy. I saw Aunt Katie through the window.” Leah called back in her defense.
Pam rounded the corner with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face, but it disappeared as soon as she saw her daughter hanging onto Kathryn in the doorway of her home.
“Next time call me first,” she said sternly to Leah.
Leah nodded and grabbed the box of cookies calling out, “Connor, Aunt Katie brought chocolate cookies.”
Pam couldn’t hide her smile. “Chocolate cookies, huh? You spoil them. I suppose you should come inside. Do you want some coffee and grown up cookies? Actually, I have a coffee cake.”
“Coffee cake and tea would be perfect,” Kathryn said as she closed the door behind her. She hung her coat and purse on the coat rack and followed Pam into the kitchen.
Settling on a wooden kitchen chair, Kathryn smiled at her sister and said, “What’s new?”
“Not much. Eighty-nine days until Rob comes home not that I’m counting. The kids are counting. They’re more excited than at Christmas.” She sat across from Kathryn with a cup of coffee and two plates. She sliced two pieces of coffee cake and handed one of the plates to Kathryn.
“Of course they’re excited. You are, too. You’re just better at hiding it.”
The tea kettle whistled and Pam set a mug of hot water and a box of various tea bags in front of Kathryn. Looking in the box, Kathryn chose Summer Blueberry and dropped the tea bag into the hot water. The scent of fresh blueberries filled the air.
Kathryn slid a bite of cake between her lips. “Mmm, this is good. Blueberry tea and cherry coffee cake. What a wonderful treat.”
“Thanks, but I didn’t make it. A co-worker likes to bring me things she bakes. I guess she’s adopted me and the kids while Rob is gone.” Pam shrugged and bit into the coffee cake. “What’s new with you?”
“Nothing. Work, errands, you know the usual.” Kathryn sipped her tea.
“There’s more. I can see it in your eyes. Give.” She set her fork on her plate and stared into her sister’s eyes.
Oh no, does she know? She can’t possibly know about my execution plans. No one knows, but no one is Pam. She has known when I was up to something since we were kids. Nick, I’ll tell her about Nick.
“Well,” Kathryn started. “I’ve been dating a guy from work. His name is Nick. He’s so easy on the eyes, and I think he really cares about me.” She took another bite hoping the revelation would satisfy her sister’s curiosity.
“Has he spent the night?” Pam asked.
“No.”
“Why not? You’re both adults. Use it or lose it, Kathryn.” Pam’s eyes sparkled as she began to laugh.
“I’ve still got it; I’ll decide when to use it,” Kathryn said scowling at Pam and then bursting into laughter.
“You better hurry. You won’t be in your twenties forever. I can hear thirty calling your name,” Pam tried to drink her coffee but choked a bit while she attempted to sip and giggle at the same time.
“Serves you right? Is that what happened to you when you hit thirty? You’re over the hill now?” Kathryn smiled.
The smile left Pam’s face. “I don’t know. Rob hasn’t been home since my birthday.”
“Oh Pam, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I was just having fun.” She reached out to take her sister’s hand.
“I know. I was, too. Sometimes Rob’s deployment hits me harder than others. I’ll be okay. It’s other things that bother me, too.” Pam wiped a few tears from her cheeks.
“What’s wrong,” Kathryn’s eyes turned dark feeling the anxiety in her sister’s voice.
“Remember that creepy guy at the park?”
Kathryn nodded.
“He’s at the park every day. I don’t take the kids during the week because of work, but I have a friend who lives across the street. She says he sits there every day just watching the kids. When we go on the weekend, I watch them like a hawk. I would go to another park, but the kids love this one. With Rob away, I try to make them as happy as possible. Rob’s mom lives far enough away that she never comes here. After she picks them up from school, she drives home in the opposite direction.” Pam lowered her head and massaged her forehead with her fingertips.
She looked back up at Kathryn. “It’s so hard when you’re on your own. Eighty-nine days and I am counting.” She forced a smile.
Kathryn smiled back and thought, I’m not what this creep is contemplating, but I’m going to find out. If he’s a threat, he’ll top my list.
She reached for Pam’s hand. “Don’t worry, sis, you’re a great mom and I know you’ll keep him away from Connor and Leah.”
At that moment, both kids rushed into the kitchen with chocolate cookie crumbs on their faces.
Leah leaped and landed on Kathryn’s lap. “Are you staying for lunch, Aunt Katie? Pleeeease.”
Pam laughed and said, “We’re having sandwiches and leftover soup I made yesterday.”
Kathryn whispered to Leah, “What kind of soup did your mom make?”
“Chicken noodle,” Leah whispered back.
“The kind with the big wavy noodles?” Kathryn asked.
Leah nodded up and down slowly, “It’s her best soup.”
“Yes it is,” Kathryn agreed. “I’ll stay.”
~ * ~
Kathryn headed for the grocery store after lunch. She meandered down each aisle tossing things she needed and those that appealed to her in her cart. She noticed that she had absentmindedly added several things she knew Nick liked. Looking into her cart, it became apparent to her that she liked him more than she realized.
Smiling she hurried to finish the shopping. She was a bit of a perfectionist and needed to get home and put all her groceries away before she could continue with her day. She looked forward to seeing Nick later, but first the execution.
Kathryn hurried home and tossed a load of laundry in the washer. It needed to be ready for another load after she returned home later. While the clothes washed, she put away groceries. Satisfied the kitchen looked as good as possible, she tossed the clothes into the dryer.
Kathryn sat in front of her laptop and perused colorful backgrounds she could print. When she found one that suited her, she printed it. She had a plastic cylindrical container ready to cover with the colorful paper. The excess paper was shredded in her cross-shred paper shredder.
No sense leaving any evidence, she mused.
She covered the plastic cylinder, cut a small opening in the lid, and added a few coins. It would suit her purpose. She stood and walked to her bedroom and set the cylinder next to the shirt and bra she prepared for this evening. Kathryn set the alarm for one hour and dropped onto the bed and took a nap.
~ * ~
Kathryn stretched when the alarm woke her. She was refreshed, but not excited or nervous. She sat on the side of her bed and thought.
I suppose people and the police consider me a serial killer. At least they will after tonight’s execution. If I execute another tomorrow according to plan, I’ll definitely be given that title. I must be careful not to be caught. I have a mission to finish. Right now, there are four at the top of my list and possibly the creep from the park. I need to check him out thoroughly. Pam’s worried. I can’t let anything happen to Connor or Leah.
Okay, Kathryn, ready? You can do this. It’s important.
Kathryn walked into the bathroom, stripped, and stepped into the shower. She was calm as her mind clicked off the things she needed to do to get ready.
After blow drying her hair, it hung in waves surrounding her face. She didn’t want hair to get in her way, and she pulled it back into a ponytail. Just enough makeup to brighten her face and she was ready. She could dress up and be a knockout at any party or dress down and blend in as nearly nondescript. Down was the best look for an execution. She’d dress up a little more before heading to Nick’s after.
She wrapped her warm terry robe around her body and walked into the kitchen. She poured a cup of coffee and ate a granola bar.
When her phone rang, she debated answering. It might be Nick, but Caller ID showed it was her friend Karla from the hospital.
“Hi Karla, what’s up?” Kathryn said as she answered the phone.
Karla said, “I’m at work, but I had to tell you something funny that happened.”
“What?” Kathryn loved to listen to Karla’s escapades.
“Joey Coyle screwed up again and he’s been stuck on weekends. All the nurses are avoiding him like the plague.”
“Can you blame them? He’s a jerk” Kathryn laughed.
“He’s worse than that,” Karla continued. “He was doing his best to pick me up during my break and I made it clear I wasn’t interested. He then proceeded to tell me he bought a porn flick that was guaranteed to turn me on more than I imagined possible, and he knew exactly how to take care of me.”
“He’s a pig. Joey Coyle gives me the creeps. What did you do?” Kathryn asked.
Karla giggled, “I told him that since I work in maternity that I have seen too many women in labor and have sworn off sex for life. You should have seen his face. He looked like a kid who just found out there’s no Santa or Easter Bunny.”
Both young women laughed together on the phone until Karla said, “My break’s over. I should go, but I thought you would enjoy this. I know he’s hit on you, too.”
“Yeah, he has, but not as much since I’ve been dating Nick. If he ever does again, I’ll tell him I’ve joined your celibacy club.”
The comment sent Karla into another round of giggles and Kathryn could barely make out when she said, “Bye.”
Kathryn set her phone on the table and continued to laugh at Joey Coyle’s reaction.
Hmm, she thought, by this time tomorrow I’ll bet most of the nursing staff will have heard the story, and Joey won’t find a nurse who’s interested in sex at all. Serves him right.
~ * ~
Kathryn noticed the sun was setting, and it was time to get ready.
She slid on a pair of worn jeans and dark socks. She smiled at her reflection when she put on the bra with the square pocket. She patted it and felt the folded bills. Her license pressed softly into her breast. It would not come loose, and she silently thanked the elderly woman for her obsession for keeping her cash close.
She pulled a long sleeve navy t-shirt over her head. She tightened her ponytail and turned around to check her appearance in the floor-length mirror that hung on the back of her bedroom door.
Boring, I look absolutely dull and boring. No one would give me a second look. Perfect!
Slipping her feet into a pair of dark blue running shoes, she was nearly set to go.
She walked to her closet and pulled out the lock box neatly hidden under her special Christmas tree trimmings and removed the .38 and silencer. She cleaned it after her last execution, and it would work without a hitch. She slid the bullets in place and attached the silencer. Placing the .38 in a denim blue cloth cross-over bag, she replaced the lock box. Her worn denim jacket matched her jeans, and she looked as if she were dressed to run an errand or do any number of casual activities. Boring and dull to the eye perhaps, but she felt alive and strong.
Kathryn flipped off her bedroom light as she headed for her attached garage.
Once seated behind her wheel, purse on the passenger seat, she placed her hands on the wheel. She let her mind wander through all the reasons this execution was necessary.
David is near the top of my list because he thought he beat the system. A mistrial doesn’t mean you’re innocent. It means something went wrong. He raped that twelve-year-old girl. The news reported she became terrified when she testified. Of course, she was. I remember how terrified I was each time I saw Mr. Waters. I can imagine how she felt in the courtroom. There was one holdout for conviction. One juror, the news reported, had a bit of doubt about the girl’s story. Reasonable doubt. The judge and the defense attorney at least would have explained about reasonable doubt. The operative word was “reasonable.” How could a thinking person believe there was any doubt when a child of twelve is raped and recalls the horror on the witness stand? Reasonable doubt might be the law of the land, but when it allows men like David to walk free to rape again, something needs to be done.
Kathryn’s fingers were white where she gripped the steering wheel. She took a deep breath not allowing emotion to cloud her judgment. She knew what needed to be done, and she could do it.
She pushed the garage door opener, started her car, and rolled out of the garage. It was a fifteen-minute drive to where David lived in an eight family apartment building. Since he was set free after the trial and the girl’s family was concerned for her emotional well-being, no new trial date had been set. That meant David could live wherever he pleased. Kathryn hoped he wasn’t near children and hadn’t hurt another young girl. After tonight, he would never hurt anyone again.
Kathryn drove past the apartment building. She knew David lived in the first-floor apartment to her left. It wasn’t a security building which was helpful. David’s apartment was well lit, and she hoped that meant he was home.
She parked a block away and climbed out of the car. She slid her head through the strap of her bag nestling it nicely at her side. A simple pat assured her the gun was there. She picked up her plastic coin container and strolled to David’s building.
No one was around when she entered the building and knocked on his door.
Chapter Eight
Kathryn heard movement behind the door of apartment #2. She heard a male voice call out, “Hang on; I’m coming.”
The man with the electric blue eyes opened the door and smiled at Kathryn. The grainy image in her head of the photo on the website matched the face, and there was no mistaking the eyes.
She smiled and said, “Hi, my name is Shelly, and I’m collecting for playground updates at the Beacon St. Park. We need to keep kids safe.” She rattled the plastic container in her hand.
He leaned on the door frame and said, “I’d love to help you keep kids safe, darlin’, but I’m only working part-time. I just don’t have anything to spare.”
“Sorry about your unemployment problems. I can understand. Do you have a few pennies to spare? It all helps.” She smiled again fighting the bile she felt rising in her throat.
“Not sure, maybe. Come on in.” He walked into the apartment leaving the door open.
Kathryn walked in and closed the door quietly. She quickly scanned the apartment looking for the best place to stand. She moved a foot away from the door where she had an excellent view of the kitchen.
He mumbled, “Not sure I can find any.”
“Hey, that’s okay. It’s the thought that counts and you took the time to look. I have been walking around for two hours. Do you think I could get a glass of water?” She took another step into the apartment.
“Sure, and you can make yourself comfortable for a while if you want. I could use a little company. It’s been a quiet day.” He turned his back and walked to the kitchen.
Kathryn pulled the gun from her purse and took a stance aiming the gun at his temple. When he turned slightly and bent over to open the small refrigerator door, she froze. She would miss the ideal temple shot if he didn’t turn back to the cabinet. She didn’t move and kept the gun
trained on him.
He closed the refrigerator door, stood, and turned to face her. His eyes opened wide; he dropped the glass and put his palms up in front of him.
“What’s this all about? I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t have any money. Listen, I’m broke until payday. Put the gun away and leave. I won’t call the cops.” His hands were trembling slightly.
“Of course you won’t,” she smiled. “You don’t want the cops involved in anything. Do you?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” He took half a step toward her.
“Don’t move. Not an inch, not a muscle.” She scowled at him.
“Whatever lady, but you’re nuts. What do you want?” His face tightened, and he tried to move sideways towards a doorway.
“I said don’t move,” she yelled.
He stopped.
“How do you like it? Being forced to do something while you’re terrified. I can see the fear in your eyes.”
“I’m telling you for the last time, you’re nuts. I don’t have anything.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“Don’t move. I told you. I bet you told her the same thing.” She spat.
“Who?”
“The twelve-year-old you raped.”
“Listen, there was a mistrial. I’m innocent. I thought she was at least fifteen.” He whispered.
“You thought she was fifteen. Bull. You knew she was just a baby at twelve.”
“No, she wanted it. I tell ya she did. She told me.” His voice grew louder.
“That’s a lie. I read about what happened in court. That child was terrified. And regardless if she wanted it as you claim, a twelve-year-old can’t give consent. You left her bruised and bloody. You raped her plain and simple.” Kathryn spoke slowly and clearly emphasizing each word.
“Listen, bitch, I’m sick of this. So what if I did or didn’t rape her. Who do you think you are? My judge and jury. Already had one, and I’m a free man.”
Kathryn spoke as she pulled the trigger, “No, I’m your executioner.”
His mouth had fallen open for just a moment before the bullet found its mark in the middle of his forehead. He collapsed on the kitchen floor.
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